Psalm 69 36

Psalm 69:36 kjv

The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

Psalm 69:36 nkjv

Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it, And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

Psalm 69:36 niv

the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

Psalm 69:36 esv

the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.

Psalm 69:36 nlt

The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land,
and those who love him will live there in safety.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 36 Meaning

Psalm 69:36 offers a prophetic promise of future blessedness and secure habitation for God's faithful people. It declares that the spiritual lineage of those who serve God, and specifically those who deeply cherish and live by His character and authority ("love His name"), will not only take possession of His established dwelling place (referring to Zion and the cities of Judah mentioned in the preceding verse) but will also reside there permanently and securely. This inheritance and dwelling are not merely physical but carry profound spiritual implications, pointing to an abiding relationship and security in God's presence within His promised kingdom.

Psalm 69 36 Context

Psalm 69 is a profound lament, deeply personal in its portrayal of intense suffering, rejection, and isolation. Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist expresses overwhelming distress, comparing his predicament to being submerged in deep waters, scorned by others, and betrayed even by friends. He calls out for divine intervention against his adversaries, displaying a raw desire for God's justice.

The context shifts dramatically from the individual's desperate plea in verses 1-33 to a sudden prophetic vision of restoration in verses 34-36. This transition elevates the psalm from a personal complaint to a collective hope for God's people. Verse 35 speaks of God saving Zion and rebuilding the cities of Judah, laying the foundation for the promise in verse 36 concerning the inhabitants. The "it" in verse 36 refers directly to Zion and the cities of Judah from verse 35. This shift serves to demonstrate that while God's faithful servants may suffer presently, divine justice and ultimate deliverance are certain, culminating in an established, secure kingdom for His true followers.

Psalm 69 36 Word analysis

• The descendants:

  • Hebrew: zera (זֶרַע). This term literally means "seed," "sowing," or "offspring." It is highly significant in biblical theology, especially in the context of the Abrahamic covenant where God promised Abraham a vast zera that would inherit the land and bless all nations (Gen 12:7, 13:16).
  • Significance: While initially referring to physical lineage, zera evolves in prophetic and New Testament contexts to include a spiritual posterity – those who share the faith of Abraham (Rom 4:13, Gal 3:29). This implies that inheritance is not purely genetic but conditional upon faithfulness.

• of his servants:

  • Hebrew: ʿăḇāḏāyw (עֲבָדָיו), plural of eved (עֶבֶד), meaning "servant" or "bond-servant."
  • Significance: "Servant of the Lord" is a title of honor and devotion in the Bible, designating those committed to God's will (e.g., Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets, and ultimately the "suffering servant" in Isaiah). These are not merely laborers but devoted individuals living in obedience and fear of the Lord. This phrase narrows the "descendants" to the faithful ones among them.

• will inherit it:

  • Hebrew: yîrāšenāh (יִירָשֶׁנָּה), from the root yarash (יָרַשׁ), meaning "to take possession," "to inherit," or "to dispossess."
  • Significance: Inheritance (of land, blessing, or kingdom) is a key biblical theme, particularly associated with the covenant. It implies not just gaining something, but a rightful claim, a divinely given legacy. The "it" refers back to Zion and the cities of Judah mentioned in the previous verse (Ps 69:35), signifying restoration and secure possession of the promised land, with broader spiritual implications of entering God's kingdom.

• and those who love:

  • Hebrew: wĕʾōhaḇê (וְאֹהֲבֵי), from the root aḥev (אָהַב), "to love." The participle indicates an ongoing state of loving.
  • Significance: In the Bible, love for God is not merely an emotion but an active devotion, expressed through obedience to His commands and faithfulness to His covenant (Deut 10:12, John 14:15). It points to a deep, intentional relationship.

• his name:

  • Hebrew: šmô (שְׁמוֹ), from shem (שֵׁם), "name."
  • Significance: In ancient Near Eastern thought, a name represents the essence, character, authority, and presence of an individual or deity. "Loving God's name" is synonymous with loving Him in His full revelation – His nature, attributes, covenant promises, and revealed will. It contrasts with pagan practices that invoked generic gods, affirming the unique, personal identity of Yahweh.

• will dwell in it:

  • Hebrew: yishkenū vāh (יִשְׁכְּנוּ בָהּ), from the root shakhan (שָׁכַן), "to dwell," "to reside," or "to settle."
  • Significance: This implies permanent, secure, and peaceful habitation. It's not a temporary stay but an enduring presence. The word shakhan is related to the Shekinah glory, symbolizing God's manifest presence dwelling among His people (Ex 25:8). Thus, to "dwell in it" suggests not just living in the land but living securely in the presence and blessing of God within His established realm.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "The descendants of his servants": This phrase defines the specific group who will receive the promised inheritance. It distinguishes between a mere physical lineage and a spiritual one characterized by active service and obedience to God. It highlights a covenant relationship where status is tied to conduct.
  • "will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell in it": This is a beautiful parallelism, equating "descendants of his servants" with "those who love his name." This signifies that true inheritance and secure dwelling are contingent upon genuine love for and devotion to God. It also connects the spiritual state of the people (loving His name) to their blessed material and spiritual dwelling. The "it" links this promise directly to Zion and the rebuilt cities of Judah, symbolizing the restoration and secure establishment of God's chosen place for His faithful.

Psalm 69 36 Bonus Section

This concluding verse of Psalm 69 beautifully illustrates a common thematic pattern in Psalms of lament: a transition from deep anguish and plea for deliverance to an assurance of future restoration and hope, often on an eschatological scale. The suffering of the individual Psalmist becomes a metaphor for the suffering of God's people, and the deliverance anticipated extends to the ultimate salvation and establishment of God's kingdom for His faithful ones. This particular verse, in linking "descendants of his servants" with "those who love his name," powerfully clarifies that true inheritance in God's eternal plans is determined by devotion and character, not simply by physical lineage, prefiguring the spiritual understanding of Abraham's seed in the New Testament. It connects internal piety (love for His name) with external blessing (inheritance and secure dwelling).

Psalm 69 36 Commentary

Psalm 69:36 stands as a profound summary of hope and eschatological expectation within the Psalter. Emerging after a deeply personal lament, this verse pivots the reader from individual suffering to God's ultimate plan for His collective people. It prophesies that Zion (Jerusalem) and the cities of Judah, though perhaps then desolate, will be re-inhabited, not by just anyone, but specifically by the "descendants of His servants" and "those who love His name."

This designates a particular community: those who serve God with faithful devotion and whose love for Him (as embodied by "His name," which represents His entire character, presence, and authority) is the guiding principle of their lives. Such love translates into obedience and trust. This is a promise of security, restoration, and permanent establishment for the righteous.

Ultimately, this verse moves beyond mere physical possession of land. In its broader prophetic sense, understood through the lens of both Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment, it points to the secure and everlasting habitation within God's spiritual kingdom for all true believers. These "descendants" are the spiritual heirs of God's covenant promises—whether Israel's faithful remnant or the Church (Gentile and Jewish believers united in Christ), all those who genuinely serve and love the Lord are welcomed into His everlasting presence and receive an eternal inheritance (Matt 5:5, Rev 21:7). It implies not just peace and prosperity, but a dwelling where God's presence is tangibly felt, a fulfillment foreshadowed by the Tabernacle and Temple, and fully realized in the New Heavens and New Earth.

Practical Examples:

• A believer enduring persecution, like the Psalmist, can draw hope from this promise that suffering is temporary, and a secure future with God awaits those who remain faithful.
• For Christians, "inheriting" and "dwelling" implies becoming part of God's eternal family and living securely in His spiritual kingdom now (through His Spirit) and eternally in the new creation.